Bends and brews

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you already know about the fondness for craft beer held by the running and cycling communities.

Now you can add yoga enthusiasts to the list of the craft beer converted.

You may think of a typical yoga class participant as someone who totes a wine bottle along with their yoga mat. But some groups are trying to shed that stereotype — or at least expand past its limitations.

A group called Yoga Buzz in St. Louis is offering classes at breweries, with guided classes of poses followed by pints.

“Bring your own mat,” reads a description for an upcoming class at Morgan Street Brewery. “But we’ll have the beer.”

Proceeds from that event benefit the St. Louis Brewers Guild. You can see all of their upcoming brewery visits here.

The Yoga Buzz certified instructor Elle Potter seems to fit in well with the niche beer, running and craft beer worlds.

According to its website, Elle ran two seasons of annual conferences for U.S. and European beer bloggers, wine bloggers, fitness and health bloggers and food bloggers.

“After running her first half marathon in 2012 and recovering with a pint of Schlafly beer, she realized there was a place where all her interests could intersect,” her bio reads.

After moving to St. Louis, her friends requested a class for “everyday guys,” referring to it as “Yoga for Beer Bellies.” Today, her goals are to make yoga approachable for those who are new to the practice, to introduce yogis to the fine craft of beer and wine, and for those who already love both worlds to enjoy them both.